Sunken bellies in Otos are bad signs. They have a bacteria in their bellies that digest their food for them. When they are starved during the harvesting process (you can read about the process at
http://www.otocinclus.com and it explains the health of the little guys a bit more) unfortunately the bacteria dies and then they are unable to digest any food they eat. This means usually that they will starve to death even if they eat as they cannot assimilate the food that they do eat. Eventually they just stop trying. This is why I generally recommend not purchasing them unless they are fat bellied or at least a little pudgy as those that are caved in are generally too far gone to save. The algae that the Otos eat are actually brown diatoms caused by not enough light in the tank and not by too much light. They do not much care for green algae. They will eat algae wafers but do not prefer them over brown algae. The only way that I know to get brown algae is to let it grow normally in the tank and if it is not there the algae wafers are the only supplement that I know of. What other fish do you have with them? Sometimes if there are fish that are intimidating them they will be too timid to go to the food and please do remember that they eat at night when the lights are off and so you may not be seeing them eat but they may be doing so.
I shall think good thoughts and say a prayer or two for your little ones. I do hope they make it. Please do keep us informed of their progress.
Rose
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